He said: “It doesn’t need me to tell you that these are not easy times for business or indeed for anyone.

“The challenges we face as a country are enormous and, as the Chancellor made clear this week, we are going to be in this period of austerity for more years than any of us feel comfortable with.

“As the Governor of the Bank of England said to us in person when he came in October, we are not masters of our own destiny.

“The problems of the global economy and the Eurozone in particular are bound to impact massively on our economic wellbeing.

“In the end we can only do our best in the circumstances we find ourselves in and make the most of the opportunities that we are presented with.”

He went on to celebrate the announcement of a £6m deal to drag Crewe’s ailing Railway Station into the 21st Century as well as massive plans to build the £30m Crewe Green Link Road.

Mr Williams added: “Things are looking good in our area.

“These awards tonight demonstrate the real talent and spirit of entrepreneurship that forms the backbone of the success of the businesses of South Cheshire.”

The winners on the night were:

Young Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Bentley Motors) – Livia Lucie of Three 29 Design

SELF-styled computer whiz kid, Livia Lucie, aged 20, took the plunge to start her own business straight after finishing college.

And now, just two years later, the former Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College student and talented web designer works with companies all around the globe. All from her bedroom at her parents’ Haslington home.

She said: “It all started on MySpace doing some work for local musicians and I can’t believe how quickly it has developed into a business. I feel very lucky and honoured to win.

“Although my dream was to join the Armed Forces, things got in the way and didn’t go to plan – instead, once I had finished college, I decided to take the plunge.

“In all honesty I’m a bit of a geek really but I love what I do.”

Also nominated: Amy Nolan of Perfectly Pretty Hair; Mike Lawson of trCreative Ltd; Robert Hughes of Up and Under Limited.

Best Start-up Business of the Year (sponsored by Cheshire East Council) – Overwater Marina Ltd

THE team at Overwater Marina Ltd in Newhall is keeping success in the family after just over a year in business.

Set in the beautiful South Cheshire countryside near Audlem, the firm run by Janet Maughan, was formed in June 2009 but didn’t open until early 2010.

It provides modern long and short-term moorings on the Shropshire Union canal as well as a range of ancillary services and a shop.

It is also landlord to a number of other businesses including a boat brokerage, a boat engineering yard and a coffee lounge.

Janet said: “We are a family business which diversified to create something not just for now but our children’s future. We take our position as guardians of the countryside seriously and this award makes all our hard work worthwhile.”

Employer of the Year (sponsored by MMU Cheshire’s Department of Business and Management Studies) – The Up and Under Group

RETURNING champions, the Up and Under Group, took home the crown once again on Friday to the delight of managing director Andy Fewtrell.

Andy, who founded the Crewebased engineering solutions firm almost 25 years ago,

could barely contain his excitement as the firm’s name was called out and encouraged his entire team to join him on stage.

He said: “Wow this is amazing.

“Last year the first thing I said to the team on the table was that we will win it again.

After this success we hope to make it a hat-trick next year.

“We don’t have a winning formula, we just do what we believe in and I’m thrilled to say it works.”

The company is a leading player in maintenance consultancy, contracting and training in the civil and structural engineering, commercial and industrial sectors. The group specialises in innovative engineering services and often utilises specialist access methods.

Andy added: “It’s been so special but the competition was so tough this year, and we need to continue to strive to get better and better if we want to win it again.

“None of this would have been be possible without my fantastic, committed and talented team.”

DESPITE winning stewarding and training contracts around the world, ESTC founder Eileen Williams, was left ‘truly humbled’ after scooping the first ever Contribution to the Community award.

Nantwich-based ESTC was nominated for the prize by volunteers at Crewe’s Seahorse Swimming group for disabled people.

The firm donated its time to give volunteers, many of whom are young people, vital training in health and safety procedures that the charity wouldn’t have needed when it was established years ago but which are now essential for running any kind of organisation.

Mrs Williams said: “This is not our first award but it’s one we are really heartened to receive because it’s all thanks to the mums and dads of the seahorse swimming club who put us forward.

“The training has given the volunteers more confidence to help young people and disabled people. We’re thrilled to be able to help.”

Best Large Business of the Year (sponsored by NatWest Commercial) – Alpha Omega Securities Ltd

FORMER kickboxing instructor and martial arts clubs owner Ken Lawton said he was ‘delighted’ after his security firm was officially recognised as fighting fit.

The Lawton Street based company in Crewe has enjoyed ‘phenomenal’ growth over the last 15 years and now employs about 200 people as well as operating as the main security firm for events such as the Nantwich Show and Cheshire Show.

Mr Lawton said: “Security is a big issue in the current climate and we pride ourselves on making the area safer and often supporting the role of the police.

“I think we’ve helped change the public’s perception of security personnel by providing services based on good morals and principles.”